@junktrap: "Hi all,
Does anyone have any definitive information on the inter-availability
of the Explorer tickets issued along the South Coast? The various
operator web sites tend to be rather vague (and Wilts & Dorset's is
positively awful!).
I'm contemplating a trip along the South Coast, possibly starting at
Exeter and working my way east to Dover (and then a day trip to Calais
for some shopping...)
So, does anyone know for certain how far east a First Dorset (Southern
National as was) issued Explorer will be accepted? Or, for that
matter, how far west a Stagecoach issue (East Kent/Hastings/Coastline)
would get me?
TIA for any advice.
Ross, in Lincoln, most likely being cynical or sarcastic, as ever.
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    @junktrap: "On Sun, 15 Jan 2006 22:11:38 GMT, ian henden wrote in
<uMzyf.1268$<email_address>>, seen in uk.transport.buses:
<quote>
[...]
I did, thanks.
If the worst come to the worst I'll try contacting the companies and
see what they say. ;-)
Ross, in Lincoln, most likely being cynical or sarcastic, as ever.
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    @terryharper: "On Sun, 15 Jan 2006 15:39:01 +0000, Ross
<quote>
Michael Meilton, Editor of the SW&W Bulletin of the Omnibus Society,
did a comprehensive study in their Bulletin 127, published for August
2005.
Stagecoach South Explorers cover Hampshire, Surrey Sussex and Kent,
and on Wilts & Dorset. First Dorset off-bus Explorers are available a
long way to the east on Arriva, Stagecoach and Brighton & Hove,
possibly as far as Dover.
Terry Harper
Website Coordinator, The Omnibus Society
<url>"
    @junktrap: "On Sun, 15 Jan 2006 23:52:04 +0000, Terry Harper wrote in
<email_address>, seen in
uk.transport.buses:
<quote>
[....]
Ah, well, I'm unlikely to ever see that, given as I'm no longer an OS
member (couldn't justify the cost of most of the annual memberships I
had, so now I'm down to just RSPB and RNLI).
Tempting to try a Stagecoach South off-bus issue (if they still do
scratch cards) on a First bus just to see what happens.
Thanks.
Ross, in Lincoln, most likely being cynical or sarcastic, as ever.
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    @junktrap: "On Sun, 15 Jan 2006 23:34:34 GMT, Mike wrote in
<e_Ayf.7176$<email_address>>, seen in uk.transport.buses:
<quote>
[...]
'Fraid not, Mike. 
I've already looked at that site and it only gives me the answer for
Brighton & Hove's own issues, which don't have the same validity as
other operators issues do.
I wish the "South Coast" Explorer was run as a single scheme like the
North East Explorer is; that way there'd be no confusion.
Ross, in Lincoln, most likely being cynical or sarcastic, as ever.
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    @aooy65: "On Sun, 15 Jan 2006 15:39:01 +0000, Ross
<quote>
When I saw this post I thought it would be a doddle to respond to. Boy
was I wrong.  This really is a mess and I agree fully with your comments
re some of the websites which are next to useless.
None of the following is certain.  It would seem that First Group are
the "odd ones out" in that they seem to insist on limiting what can be
accepted from other operators while being willing to sell their own
"First Explorer" tickets for travel to points east (in this example).
You can infer that a First Explorer bought in Exeter will certainly work
as far as Southampton possibly even Brighton.  There was a feature on
the X53 service in Buses magazine last year and ISTR there was some
mention of Explorer tickets in that article. It may be worth hunting
this down if you have not already done so. The X53 leaflet is not very
clear having downloaded it.
A Google search for the X53 makes mention of Avon and Somerset First
Explorer tickets being valid as far as Brighton.
"FirstDay Explorer tickets, allowing travel into the Dorset and
Hampshire area, are also available and valid at any time on the day of
travel on the following services from Yeovil into Dorset: 57, 58, 58A,
59, 68, 69, 212, 216 and X67. They are also valid on services 30/30A
between Axminster and Lyme Regis, and on service X53 to Exeter. They are
not valid for journeys on any other services in Somerset. FirstDay
Explorer tickets are valid on most other operators� services in
Hampshire and as far as Brighton."
Working backwards the other way it seems that either Arriva or Metrobus
or Stagecoach Kent tickets certainly work as far as Hampshire with
Solent Blue Line being mentioned as well as Wilts and Dorset.
Arriva Southern Counties say this 
"Have the freedom of most* buses throughout Kent, Surrey and Sussex for
the day, not only those operated by Arriva, but those of other operators
from East Kent right along the Sussex coast and into Hampshire.
* Unfortunately the following services cannot accept the Explorer
ticket: Green Line coaches, Transport for London services, Seaside
Specials, sightseeing tours, Services 707/711 to Lakeside and Romford
and Park & Ride services."
while Metrobus say this 
"Explorer tickets are useful for anyone wishing to travel on several
different services in one day, or for using other operators� buses.
Buy your Explorer from your Metrobus driver and it will be accepted for
travel on all local bus services in West Sussex (except those operated
by community groups and National Express), as well as on most services
operated by: 
Metrobus (except services operated on behalf of London Buses) 
Arriva Southern Counties 
Brighton & Hove 
Coastal Coaches 
Compass Travel 
Eastbourne Buses 
RDH Services 
Solent Blueline 
Stagecoach South 
Wilts & Dorset"
Theoretically I think there are effectively two overlapping validities -
a South West one working as far as Brighton and a South East working as
far west as Hampshire. There is a considerable overlap in the middle.
I have posed a question based on your post to a couple of MDs who work
in First and Stagecoach to see if they dig up anything more definitive.
I have also made a small plea that more detail be provided on company
websites and that a more co-ordinated effort with Go Ahead and Arriva is
made to explain the validities.  When I get a response I'll provide an
update.
Not sure if any of that adds to your knowledge!
Paul C"
    @terryharper: "On Sun, 15 Jan 2006 23:52:04 +0000, Terry Harper
<quote>
Further to this, Michael Meilton has sent me a copy of the article in
Word format (V.7) which can now be downloaded from our web site via a
link at the bottom of <url>
The filename is Explorer-Tickets-July2005.doc. When I have time I will
try and convert it to HTML.
Terry Harper
Website Coordinator, The Omnibus Society
<url>"
    @junktrap: "On Tue, 17 Jan 2006 16:53:19 +0000, Terry Harper wrote in
<email_address>, seen in
uk.transport.buses:
[...]
<quote>
[...] 
That's very useful, Terry, thanks a lot for uploading it.
I'm not sure if I should be impressed by the honesty of the various
managers quoted, or concerned that they don't know who they have made
agreements with!
Ross, in Lincoln, most likely being cynical or sarcastic, as ever.
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    @junktrap: "On Mon, 16 Jan 2006 18:45:16 +0000, Paul Corfield wrote in
<email_address>, seen in
uk.transport.buses:
<quote>
[...] 
I thought it would be easy when I started looking in the first place.
Boy was *I* wrong! 
[...]
Thanks for the summary and your research. Along with the article Terry
has posted on the OS website, I think I've a chance of actually making
the trip this year. :-)
It'll be interesting to see what they say.
Thanks. I hope you're not holding your breath, though. ;-)
It does indeed, thanks muchly.
Ross, in Lincoln, most likely being cynical or sarcastic, as ever.
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    @junktrap: "On Wed, 18 Jan 2006 05:48:12 GMT, ian henden wrote in
<wEkzf.57905$<email_address>>, seen in
uk.transport.buses:
<quote>
Agreed muchly. It would be easier for all concerned if there was just
one agreement which a company could sign up to and then basically
forget.
Ross, in Lincoln, most likely being cynical or sarcastic, as ever.
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    @flavell: "<quote>
That would be most un-British!  ISTM that "go-anywhere" tickets have 
*always* come with a list of what, to the customer, seem like bizarre 
and inexplicable exceptions.
No doubt they have their own good reasons, behind the scenes; but to 
the customers it just looks like a deliberate obstacle course for its 
own sake."
    @junktrap: "On Fri, 20 Jan 2006 18:38:54 +0000, Alan J. Flavell wrote in
<email_address>, seen in
uk.transport.buses:
<quote>
This is true.
As is this.
I think the problem is that companies (not just in the public
transport industry) look at pennies rather than goodwill. 
So, instead of saying "If a passenger travels on the X99 with a Day
Ticket they'll save 10p and think they're getting a great bargain",
they think "If we let a passenger travel on the X99 with a Day Ticket,
we'll lose 10p *and they won't pay for any other journey they make!
Just think how much we'll lose if we allow it!" and ban the use of the
ticket on the route. And yet they'd probably see 10 people a month on
the X99 with a  Day Ticket even if it *was* valid...
Ross, in Lincoln, most likely being cynical or sarcastic, as ever.
Reply-to will bounce. Replace the junk-trap with my name to e-mail me.
Demonstration of poor photography at <<url>
AD: <<url> for European charters occasionally gripped by me"
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